Oh this is funny because I used to be totally on the open floor plan hype train haha. I was all about that magazine look until I actually lived in one for two years and realized @reeseanderson has a point about the noise thing. The TV and kitchen sounds blending together drove me up a wall. But you know what, the_leo kinda made me rethink it - the connected feeling when my partner is cooking and I'm on the couch is actually nice even if it gets loud sometimes. I guess I'd say open plans work best if you're the type who likes background noise and company, but if you need quiet they're a nightmare.